In contrast to NSCLC, small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is characterized by:

A. Greater response rate to chemotherapy.

 DISCUSSION: For the purposes of staging, estimating prognosis, and selecting therapy, lung cancer is divided into two categories: NSCLC and SCLC. SCLC is characterized by more rapid growth, higher prevalence of metastases at the time of diagnosis, and greater responsiveness to chemotherapy and radiation therapy. After ascertaining the histological diagnosis of SCLC, staging is performed, including thorough neurological examination and CT evaluation of the chest, abdomen, and brain. For most patients with limited-stage disease, treatment is initiated with six cycles of combination chemotherapy. Radiotherapy to the chest is usually employed after three initial cycles of chemotherapy and is continued for 4 weeks. Among patients with limited-stage disease, thoracotomy for pulmonary resection is recommended for the subset of patients with stage I SCLC.